What is the Relationship between Immigrant Enclaves and Transnational Diaspora Entrepreneurial Activity in Ireland?

This thesis is a pioneering study, exploring the relationship between immigrant enclaves (IE) and transnational diaspora entrepreneurship (TDE) in the unique context of a Nigerian immigrant community in Dublin. The study reviews the relevant literature in the field of immigrant entrepreneurship, adopting principles from the most significant studies in order to develop a conceptual model for understanding the relationship between an IE and TDE. The study employed qualitative semi-structured interviews with eleven participants in order to generate data, which was then processed through the six phases of thematic analysis described by Braun and Clarke. The researcher’s own experience as a member of the Nigerian diaspora introduced a unique interpretative perspective. The participants were all Irish citizens of Nigerian origin, resident in the Dublin suburb of Blanchardstown and either engaged in TDE activity or proposing to initiate a TDE enterprise involving commercial interaction between Ireland and Nigeria in the near future. The analysis and interpretation of the literature and data set produced a unique contribution to the fields of IE and TDE studies. This work presents novel findings in three areas: (a) understanding the process of IE formation in a unique Irish context; (b) explaining how specific country of origin (COO) cultural predispositions impact on immigrant entrepreneurship; and (c) elucidating how an IE environment plays a key role in facilitating TDE activity. Related research on IE and TDE has tended to focus on issues related to international business, money remittances and investment activities, with scant attention given to the link between IE and TDE (Brzozowski, Cucculelli and Surdej, 2017). Consequently, a possible relationship between IE and TDE activity in a country of residence (COR) has been largely overlooked. The present study lays the foundations for further research into the nature of this relationship

How Has Entrepreneurship Opportunity Formation Amongst Immigrants Been Influenced by the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how entrepreneurship opportunity formation amongst immigrants has been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, given that environmental changes and irregularity can contribute to entrepreneurship opportunity formation in the immigrant set-up

Exploring the relationship between immigrant enclave theory and transnational diaspora entrepreneurial opportunity formation

Immigrant Enclave Theory (IET) investigates the concentration and localisation of immigrants in a specific geographic area. Some IET studies have highlighted the resilience of these communities and described such enclaves as sources of mutual support, collective political power and beneficial social relationships. Other studies have examined the influence of IET on immigrant entrepreneurial activity within these geographic areas, although some of these studies have highlighted IET as a contributor to low profit margin businesses due to over-representation of immigrant enterprises within the same sector and geographic locality. This article considers the potential for Transnational Diaspora Entrepreneurship (TDE) as an alternative approach to business development within immigrant enclaves and proposes a new model for the relationship between IET and TDE opportunity formation. For the contextualisation of the relationship between IET and TDE, the article explores immigrant enclave related theories and transnational diaspora entrepreneurship frameworks to draw out the relationship between IET and TDE

Management development in Small and Medium Sized Firms in The Republic of Ireland: An Investigation of Contingency Factors and Management Development Activities

Purpose The development of managerial skills is an important priority for small and medium sized firm globally yet we have few insights about the predictors and types of management development (MD) activities in SMEs. To date studies of MD have not sufficiently differentiated between small and medium sized firms. In this paper we investigate the impact of three sets of predictors (contextual, technology and innovation activities, behavioural and skill) on six dimensions of MD (formal internal development, formal internal with an external expert, formal external development, one-to-one MD activities, budget for MD and experiential focused MD). Design/methodology/approach Survey of 360 SMEs in Ireland involving 401 manager and owner managers in small and medium sized firms. Findings Our findings reveal that firm size is an important predictor of the six dimensions of MD investigated in this study. We also found that in terms of the different categories of predictors dimensions of the SME technological and innovation capacity explained differences between small and medium sized firm such as technologically improved product/service, changes existing products and services and process innovation. We also found the age of the firm, the existence of a clearly articulated business strategy and formal strategic planning approaches were significant. Research / practical / policy implications Overall our findings highlight significant differences between small and medium firms which have important research and policy implications. Management development is a government priority for supporting Irish SMEs. We address a fundamental problem providing insight into predictors of management development activities. Originality/value This is a large survey of SMEs in the Republic of Ireland. The findings have important theoretical and policy implications

SME Manager Skills and Practices Survey (2020)

Survey questions for assessing manager skills and practices in Small to Medium Enterprises under the Improving management development standards in SMEs in Ireland. A project funded by the European Union via the Directorate General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) - No SRSS/C2019/05

Leading the Way: Investing in Management Development for SME Productivity and Growth: Report by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs

The vision set out for this project is to support and enable a fresh approach to growth for SMEs in Ireland where management development is a key strategic priority for SMEs to drive productivity, sustainability, competitiveness and growth, and prepare for the future of work. This research, carried out between October 2019 and March 2020, identifies 7 key findings outlined in the report